Decoupling in lean management accounting practices

Abstract

Purpose: The research presented in the article focused on analyzing how experts perceive lean management accounting practices in companies that operate in Poland. The construct of decoupling derived from the neo-institutional theory was adopted as the main theoretical lens. Methodology/approach: The empirical material collected in the form of interviews with experts was studied using qualitative content analysis. Findings: The practices of lean management accounting discussed by the experts were characterized by numerous inconsistencies linked to competing logics of the enterprise management and the accounting role. We show that the contradictions in the assumptions of particular logics were reflected in the decoupling of the internal information system. The decoupling was multidimensional and related to the complex influence of social factors. Research limitations/implications: The research, although conducted on a relatively narrow group of experts, gives an insight into the impact of institutional factors as deter-minants of management accounting practices. Originality/value: The results confirmed that the lean accounting practices implemented in the heterogeneous institutional field are hybrid in character.

Keywords

• lean management accounting
• lean management
• decoupling
• organizational neo-institutionalism
• qualitative studies